Blood Pressure:Low Blood Pressure

Some women experience low blood pressure during their pregnancy-especially during the first 24 weeks. Low blood pressure is known as hypotension and does not usually occur until the second trimester. Hypotension often causes pregnant women to feel dizzy and there are three common reasons for hypotension during pregnancy.

The first cause of low blood pressure during pregnancy lies within the circulatory system. Because your baby depends on you for an adequate blood supply, the circulatory system has to expand quickly to accomodate the needs of your baby. This can cause low blood pressure until the fetus's system is fully developed.

One other cause of low blood pressure in pregnancy is when the growing uterus puts pressure on the aorta and vena cava. This occurs when you are laying down and you can prevent it by laying on your side. It is best to stay off of your back while sleeping.

Another cause of low pressure during pregnancy is rising quickly from a sitting, kneeling or squatting position. Your blood pressure drops when you rise rapidly, as blood leaves your brain due to gravity. You can prevent the problem by rising slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Of course, these are not the only reasons that pregnant women suffer from hypotension. There are cases that are centered around pre-exisitng conditions. Heart problems and complications within the endocrine system can cause low blood pressure in pregnant women. You and your doctor should work together to make sure that no prior condition puts your baby at harm.

Women that suffer from low blood pressure might feel dizzy, fatigued, depressed, cold, nauseas and thirsty. Pregnant women might also suffer from fainting, rapid breathing, blurred vision and low concentration. Your caregiver will check your blood pressure at each prenatal visit. While it is common for blood pressure readings to be slightly different over a period of time, your doctor will mark any sufficient changes within your readings and treat your condition accordingly. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and increase blood volume.

Comments: Blood Pressure - Low-Blood-Pressure

Comments 1 to 4 of about 4.


Amyirene74 - 138 days ago.
my low bp is from dehydration. I have a hard time getting enough water in to keep it up.

Hannah2704 - 139 days ago.
For the first time in my life (& this is my second pregnancy) I have low blood pressure. At my last antenatal visit they checked it twice & it was low; today (a week later) I've got a headache, am feeling very light-headed and nauseous. What exactly can I do to rectify my blood pressure? Is it true that increasing your salt intake helps?

clavasmommy - 357 days ago.
Hi everyone, I'm brand new to this site, but I am so glad I found it! I have had low blood pressure since I was a kid with the dizzy spells upon standing and rapid heart palpitations too. Docs always dismissed it and told me to stand more slowly. I have two children already, and with their pregnancies I didn't notice an increase in my low bp. I'm pregnant with my third child now, and things have gotten very bad. I passed out when I was around 7 weeks pregnant after standing to answer the phone. The room frequently goes black and I get ringing in my ears upon standing. My bp's are normally around 100/something, but lately they keep going down and down. The other day it was 80/40. They've taken them sitting and it may be like 90/something and then I stand and it drops to like 70/40 or something, and my pulse will shoot up to like 136. The doc said my heartrate is increasing to compensate for the decrease in pressure. They have me wearing the compression hose, eating salty stuff, drinking gatorade, and rising slowly, but that's it. I'm only 5'3'' and 104 lbs. so I know it's lower in general, but this is getting crazy! I'm only 13 weeks along, and I don't know how much longer I can take this! My OB said it would get better around 19 weeks, but from on here it seems like it could be a lot longer. Does anyone know if this is dangerous for the baby?

aprilraine - 365 days ago.
this appointment my bp went up from 87/46 to 90/54. Still low... gahhh. but I have NO symptoms.. whats with that?

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